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Europe & Eurasia
Interviews
Uzbekistan emerges as a key partner for Europe and the West in critical minerals
During the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), held in Uzbekistan's capital from June 16-18, NE Global conducted an exclusive interview with Rahimov Ulugbek...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Jared Kushner had better drop out of his Albania project — for his own good
Jared Kushner had better drop out of his Albania project -- for his own good! That was the thought that crossed my mind when...
NATO
NATO’s 2026 Ankara Summit: Progress on many fronts
While U.S. President Donald Trump garnered the bulk of media attention with his Iran pronouncements during the July 7-8 NATO Summit in Ankara, a...
EU Institutions
Ireland’s Presidency pledges to strengthen EU’s competitiveness, security and resilience
On July 1, Ireland formally assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time as the bloc faces significant...
Global Economy
Economic storm clouds gather as Trump declares Iran ceasefire is over
U.S. President Donald Trump would have dominated the July 7-8 NATO Ankara Summit in almost all circumstances but renewed high intensity U.S. military activity...
Electric power and transmission networks
EU countries reach deal on Grids Package to boost resilience and decarbonization
Before passing the baton to Ireland, the EU's Cypriot Presidency has reached an agreement among EU member states, taking key steps to deliver lower...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
In the UK’s defense…
With all the current political upheaval in the UK, it is almost easy to forget that what prompted the current turmoil was a row...
Transport
EU landmark deal improves air passenger rights protection
The European Parliament and the Council have reached a landmark political agreement on the revision of EU air passenger rights, marking the first overhaul...
Global Economy
U.S. breaks out of its deepening isolation at Évian G7 Summit
The 2026 G7 Summit was held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from 15–17 June. Compared with the more fractious 2025 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, G7 leaders...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Brussels’ Google file is only half-written
Type something into Google. A question about a lump, a debt, a divorce, a political party you would rather not be seen supporting. Under...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Baltic Ambition: How Lithuania and Latvia Are Building Europe’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
There is a Latvian saying that the slower you go, the further you will get. This is a reminder to take your time and...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Brussels wants more tax power – again
European institutions are aligning behind a major expansion of EU-level fiscal powers in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). Alongside a larger budget, Brussels...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The Serbia and Albania Projects: How an American billionaire was lured into controversial business opportunities
In December 2025, Affinity Partners, the investment vehicle run by Jared Kushner (U.S. President Trump’s son-in-law and sometimes Special Envoy), announced it was pulling...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The Quiet Keystone: How Kyrgyzstan Forms the Core of Europe-Asia Connectivity
It is very rare that one hears about the importance of Kyrgyzstan to the vast world outside the Central Asian region. This country, much...
Energy
Global energy leaders address supply security and connectivity in Azerbaijan
Decision makers from governments, global energy companies and financial institutions as well as leading industry experts gathered in Baku on June 1-3 to discuss...
Connectivity
Rubio Yerevan visit advances coordination on TRIPP Corridor and Critical Minerals
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s May 26 Yerevan stopover, en route from his recent India visit, was one of the highest-level senior level...
Interviews
Interview: Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Suleymenova on biodiversity, climate and Caspian Sea shrinkage
Zulfiya Suleymenova, Ambassador-at-Large of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, sat down with NE Global in Astana, Kazakhstan, to discuss the outcomes of the Regional Ecological...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Summer madness
As the days get longer and the chill of early spring starts to melt into much needed warmth around the world, so our mood...
Africa
France, African leaders vow to boost investment, face global challenges together
At a time of global geopolitical competition, France co-hosted the two-day Africa Forward summit on May 11-12 in Nairobi, Kenya, where French President Emmanuel...
Europe & Eurasia
EU policymakers should learn from Germany’s nicotine pouch ban
Germany has effectively banned nicotine pouches, yet sources show products remain widely available driving consumers toward unregulated grey markets instead of reducing their consumption....
Europe & Eurasia
European Political Community summit advances connectivity, energy security
At a time of profound geopolitical transformation, the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) on May 4 brought together leaders from across...
The Middle East
Another Gaza flotilla intercepted amid controversy
Nearly 200 pro-Palestinian activists aboard boats allegedly carrying aid bound for Gaza were taken to the Greek island of Crete on May 1 after...
Climate Diplomacy
Kazakhstan spearheads ecological collaboration across Central Asia and beyond
Addressing climate and environmental challenges across Central Asia, the Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026 in Astana on April 22-24 hosted by the Government of...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
MINE.IO – A Holistic Digital Mine 4.0 Ecosystem
Turning mining into a high-tech, data-driven industry, where decisions are smarter, faster and safer, MINE.IO is a European research project creating a “Digital Mine...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Europe’s regulatory reset: Why simplification must go further
The late motorsport innovator and founder of Lotus Cars Colin Chapman lived and worked by the maxim “simplify and add lightness.” The same tenet...
Democracy & Human Rights
After Orban’s defeat, Hungary set to rechart a European trajectory
The world is becoming an increasingly tough place for incumbent leaders everywhere when coming up for re-election. Even so, the April 12 parliamentary elections...
Global Energy Supplies
EU calls for coordinated action to mitigate the impact of high energy prices
As the Iran war enters its second month, EU energy ministers discussed on March 31 a coordinated response to protect EU citizens and industries...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Turkmenistan is finally in the right place at the right time
Turkmenistan has for decades talked about making much greater use of its vast gas reserves to both expand export volumes and to diversify its...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
How should Europe weather a perfect storm?
The world is in chaos, with the situation changing by the minute. As I write, President Trump has announced a deal with the Ayatollah,...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Kazakhstan: A New Constitution for a New Era
On March 15, voters in Kazakhstan overwhelmingly endorsed a new Constitution, with 87 percent voting in favor with a turnout exceeding 73 percent. The...
Oil & Gas
Industry warns EU Methane Regulation risks disruption to Europe’s oil and gas supply
Oil and gas companies have urged the European Union to pause its Methane Regulation, warning that it could put EU gas and crude oil...
United Kingdom
UK Government outlines measures to protect consumers and make Britain energy secure
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband unveiled on March 15 an accelerated package of energy interventions to protect consumers and boost the UK’s energy security,...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
An odd couple and the diminished EU Membership as an opportunity for the Western Balkans?
Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest political move brings to mind a blunt Old Testament warning: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so...
Sanctions and related policies
U.S. waiver for Russia oil sanctions brings dismay, not price stability
On March 12, the United States temporarily waived existing sanctions on Russian oil that is already at sea, allowing it to be delivered to...
Transport
U.S. launches maritime reinsurance plan to reopen Persian Gulf shipping
The Trump administration’s March 6 plan to reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will require some time before it can be activated and...
Energy
With Middle East war underway, Southern Gas Corridor reinforces EU energy security
The European Union and Azerbaijan reconfirmed their strategic energy partnership this week in Baku as the EU continues to reduce its dependencies on Russian...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
Uzbekistan, U.S. to jointly develop critical minerals, infrastructure, energy
Aiming to strengthen critical supply chains and drive economic growth, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced a historic collaboration with the...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The global economic tectonic plates are moving. So, what could this mean?
Love him or hate him, U.S. President Donald Trump will go down in history as the great disruptor, having completely shaken up the established...
Defense & Security
Transatlantic security relationship evolving after Munich conference
This year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC 2026) ran from February 13-15, traditionally held over the weekend. Running for three intense days, it was significantly...
Emissions targets and regulations
EU Parliament approves binding 90 percent emissions reduction target for 2040
Following a vote by the European Parliament on February 10, the EU will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent in 2040...
Oil & Gas
Hit by oil price fall, BP suspends share buybacks
British oil giant BP on February 10 posted a drop in annual profits and suspended share buybacks, seeking to cut costs as the UK...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
U.S. moves to counter Chinese dominance in critical minerals
The United States hosted the first-ever Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department in Washington on February 4, bringing together ministers and senior officials...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Why the EU–India trade deal marks a strategic turning point
The Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore once said that you cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. The importance...
Energy
UK and Europe sign historic pact to boost North Sea wind energy
In an era of changing geopolitical landscape, high energy costs and severe impact of climate change, the United Kingdom and European allies signed on...
Global Economy
Davos 2026 — threats, climbdowns and false constructs
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (#WEF26) convened nearly 3,000 leaders from government, business, civil society and academia under the theme...
Environment
Kazakhstan announces constitutional reform, addresses water security challenges
At a moment of global uncertainty, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced a comprehensive package of political, constitutional and economic reforms, including abolishing the...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Moldova’s foreign policy goals for 2026: No unification, but more European integration
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in a recent media interview that she would support Moldova’s unification with Romania if the Moldovan population voted in...
United Nations
High Seas Treaty to protect oceans enters into force
After almost two decades, the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
EU-Mercosur: a positive step away from the folly of isolationism
It is often said that pursuing protectionism is just like locking one's self in a dark room: wind and rain might be kept out,...
EU Institutions
Cyprus vows to strengthen Europe’s autonomy as it assumes EU Presidency
At the official opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Nicosia on January 7, President Nikos Christodoulides...
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